Hendrickson eases to Acapulco win

Last update The 23/07/2012 at 13:37 - Published on 23/07/2012 at 17:39

By Eurosport - The 23/07/2012 at 13:37

Twenty-year-old Tanner Hendrickson ripped up challenging six-foot surf to win the Quiksilver Surf Open in Acapulco for his first major ASP triumph.

The Hawaiian bested Australian Leigh Sedley by a score of 12.03 to 5.04 (out of a possible 20), dominating the final at the Playa Revolcadero after coming through close heats.

The rising Maui star beat fellow Hawaiian Gavin Gillette in the quarters and compatriot Michael Powell in the last four to book his place in the title battle before easing past Sedley.

“This is the best feeling in the world right now, I can’t even believe this,” Hendrickson said. “That was exhausting.

“It’s one thing to keep duck diving but when the weather gets this hot you get so worn down and tired. It’s pretty crazy and I’m so happy right now I don’t know what to say.”

Sedley recorded the highest single-wave score of the event with an eight-point ride on the last day but did not have anything to match Hendrickson in the final.

“In the end I’m just glad it’s over right now because I’m so tired,” the Aussie said. “In the final it kind of pulsed a little bit and we got caught in a rip in the first half and Tanner was just lucky to be Johnny on the spot.

“But congrats to him on the win. He surfed well the whole event. I wish I had a better chance but I’m happy. I haven’t been completing much lately so I didn’t expect to make the final.”